Conservatives protest as House passes $1.2 trillion spending package that isn’t paid for and adds to the federal government’s deficit.
By a vote of 286-134 over conservatives’ objections, the House passed a $1.2 trillion spending package late Friday morning, avoiding a partial government shutdown but putting House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., in jeopardy of losing the speakership.
The bill now goes to the Senate, where it is expected to pass because Democrats have a working 51-49 majority with three independents.
The 1,000-plus-page package of bills includes funding for the State, Education, Defense, Labor, Homeland Security, and Health and Human Services departments in fiscal year 2024 as well as for “general government and foreign operations” and the Internal Revenue Service, The Hill reported.
The spending package met significant opposition from conservatives who blasted the combined bills as a surrender to the Left before and after the package passed.
#SwampOmnibus pic.twitter.com/HJBsavXqks
— Chip Roy (@chiproytx) March 22, 2024
With 218 House seats to Democrats’ 213, plus four vacancies, Republicans hold a five-vote majority.
“More Republicans voted against the DC Cartel’s minibus than voted for it,” Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., tweeted. “112-101. The Uniparty has once again sold Americans out.”
More Republicans voted against the DC Cartel's minibus than voted for it.
112-101.
The Uniparty has once again sold Americans out.
— Rep Andy Biggs (@RepAndyBiggsAZ) March 22, 2024
“Once again, the D.C. Cartel has unified against the American people. We are now on the hook for another $1.2 TRILLION in spending,” Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Mont., said in an X post. “We call it the uniparty for this reason exactly, not even a majority of the majority agreed with this bill.”
A majority of Republicans voted against the #SwampOmnibus.
Unfortunately, 101 Republicans joined Democrats to pass this $1.2 trillion boondoggle that fully funds Biden’s “open borders” policies and includes earmarks for late-term abortions and transgender organizations. Insane. pic.twitter.com/L3EcOmR6Xv
— House Freedom Caucus (@freedomcaucus) March 22, 2024
Although more Republicans in the House opposed the bill than supported it, some came out in favor of its passage, as the conservative House Freedom Caucus noted.
“Democracy is messy,” Johnson said on CNBC the day before, as the House speaker acknowledged opposition to the spending package from conservatives. “It’s particularly messy right now and in a moment like this, but we have to get the job done and there are some very substantial wins in here.”
House Democrats mostly supported the spending bill, with just 22 voting against it.
“We had to work within difficult fiscal constraints—but this bipartisan compromise will keep our country moving forward,” Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash, said Thursday.
Heritage Action for America, the grassroots arm of The Heritage Foundation, issued a press release Thursday evening detailing what’s wrong with the spending bill and identifying it as a key “no” vote on the organization’s legislative scorecard. (The Daily Signal is The Heritage Foundation’s news and commentary outlet.)
🚨KEY VOTE🚨
Heritage Action OPPOSES the Second FY24 Six-Bill Minibus (Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024).
This $1.2 trillion spending package continues the disastrous spending that fuels inflation & funds Biden’s border crisis.
Learn more⬇https://t.co/jI8QI3uNI4 pic.twitter.com/tTqND0OXX7
— Heritage Action (@Heritage_Action) March 21, 2024
“This bill doesn’t deviate from Congress’ charted course toward financial catastrophe and participation in the border crisis,” the key-vote description reads. “Inflation and job losses caused by Congress’ failures to cut spending penalizes America’s working class and those struggling to afford the American dream. The American people have pleaded for responsible spending and border security for years, but unfortunately, this minibus represents a continuation of business as usual.”
A majority of Republicans just voted against the $1.2 trillion spending bill packed with earmarks and funding for Biden's border crisis.
Their commitment to conservative principles will be reflected on the @Heritage_Action scorecard.
Why we opposed:https://t.co/AVbne7Kb1X
— Cody Sargent (@codydsargent) March 22, 2024
Originally published by The Daily Signal. Republished with permission.
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